Topical Encyclopedia Huldah stands as a significant figure among the female prophets in the Bible, her account primarily recounted in 2 Kings 22:14-20 and 2 Chronicles 34:22-28. She lived during the reign of King Josiah of Judah, a time marked by religious reform and a return to the worship of Yahweh following periods of idolatry under previous kings.Historical Context Huldah's prophetic ministry occurred in the late 7th century BC, a pivotal era in Judah's history. King Josiah, known for his dedication to the Lord, initiated a series of reforms to restore the worship of Yahweh. During the renovation of the Temple, the Book of the Law was discovered, prompting the king to seek divine guidance regarding its contents and the impending judgment it foretold. Role and Influence Huldah's role as a prophet is underscored by the fact that King Josiah's officials, including the high priest Hilkiah, sought her counsel. This indicates her recognized authority and the respect she commanded within the religious community. The text in 2 Kings 22:14-15 states, "So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went and spoke to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, the keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the Second District. And they spoke to her." Prophetic Message Huldah delivered a message of both judgment and hope. She confirmed the dire consequences that would befall Judah due to their disobedience and idolatry, as recorded in 2 Kings 22:16-17 : "This is what the LORD says: I am going to bring disaster on this place and its people, according to all the words of the book that the king of Judah has read, because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, provoking Me to anger with all the works of their hands. My wrath will be kindled against this place, and it will not be quenched." However, Huldah also conveyed a message of grace specifically for King Josiah. In 2 Kings 22:18-20 , she relayed God's promise that Josiah would not witness the calamity due to his humility and repentance: "But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, tell him that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says concerning the words you heard: Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I spoke against this place and its people—that they would become a desolation and a curse—and because you have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I have heard you, declares the LORD. Therefore, I will indeed gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster that I am going to bring upon this place." Significance Huldah's prophetic ministry highlights the important role women played in conveying God's messages in the biblical narrative. Her account demonstrates that God entrusted women with significant spiritual authority and insight, using them to guide and influence the course of Israel's history. Huldah's prophecy not only affirmed the authenticity of the Book of the Law but also catalyzed further reforms under Josiah, emphasizing the transformative power of God's word when faithfully proclaimed and heeded. Nave's Topical Index 2 Kings 22:14-20So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelled in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her. Nave's Topical Index 2 Chronicles 34:22-28 Library The First Blast of the Trumpet Appeal to the Christian Women of the South A Case of Conscience Resolved Jerusalem Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant. The Book of the Law On the Diversity of Spiritual Gifts. Book ii. Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel The Jewish Institutions and Laws of Far Higher Antiquity than the ... Resources What does the Bible say about women pastors? | GotQuestions.orgDo women have to remain silent in church? | GotQuestions.org Are men and women equal in God's eyes? | GotQuestions.org Women: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Women are Courteous to Strangers Women are Tender to Her offspring Women of the Body (Ekklesia) of Christ Women: A Persian Queen Sat on a Throne Beside Her King Women: Active in Instigating to Iniquity Women: As Prophets: Philip's Four Unmarried Daughters Women: Athaliah, in Destroying the Royal Household and Usurping the Throne Women: Bath-Sheba, in Her Adultery, in Becoming the Wife of Her Husband's Murderer Women: Consecrated Jewels to Tabernacle Women: Converted by Preaching of Paul Women: Could not Marry Without the Consent of Parents Women: Deborah, a Judge, Prophetess, and Military Leader Women: Delilah, in Her Conspiracy Against Samson Women: Difference in Ceremonies Made Between Male and Female Children Women: Dinah, in Her Fornication Women: Eve, in Yielding to Temptation and Seducing Her Husband Women: Fall of, and Curse Upon Women: First to Whom the Risen Lord Appeared Women: Fond of Self-Indulgence Women: Forbidden to Wear Men's Costume Women: Gomer, the Adulterous Wife of Hosea Women: had Separate Apartments in Dwellings Women: Haman's Wife, in Advising Him to Hang Mordecai Women: Hannah, the Mother of Samuel Women: Help in Defensive Operations Women: Herodias, in Her Incestuous Marriage With Herod Antipas Women: Herodius, by Indirectly Causing John the Baptist to be Decapitated Women: Jezebel, in Her Conspiracy Against Naboth, to Cheat Him out of his Vineyard Women: Jezebel, in Her Evil Counsels To, and Influence Over, Ahab Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution and Destruction of the Prophets of the Lord Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution of Elijah Women: Job's Wife, in Suggesting to Him That he Curse God and Die Women: Leah, in Her Imitation of Rachel in the Matter of Children Women: Lot's Wife, in Her Rebellion Against Her Situation, and Against the Destruction of Sodom Women: Michal, in Her Derision of David's Religious Zeal Women: Miriam, in Her Sedition With Aaron Against Moses Women: Not to be Given in Marriage Was Considered a Calamity Women: Patriotic: The Women of Israel Women: Patriotic: The Women of the Philistines Women: Peninnah, the Wife of Elkanah, in Her Jealous Taunting of Hannah Women: Potiphar's Wife, in Her Lascivious Lust and Slander Against Joseph Women: Property Rights of in Inheritance Women: Property Rights of To Sell Real Estate Women: Punishment for Seducing, when not Betrothed Women: Punishment to be Inflicted Upon Men for Seducing, when Betrothed Women: Purifications of After Childbirth Women: Purifications of After Menstruation Women: Rachel, in Her Jealousy of Leah Women: Rachel, in Stealing Images Women: Religious Privileges of, Among Early Christians Women: Required to Attend to the Reading of the Law of Moses Women: Rules for Dress of Christian Women: Sapphira, in Her Blasphemous Falsehood Women: Sarah, in Her Jealousy and Malice Toward Hagar Women: Silly, and Easily Led Into Error Women: Social Status of in Persia Women: Social Status of in Roman Customs Women: Sold for Husband's Debts Women: Solomon's Wives, in Their Idolatrous and Wicked Influence Over Solomon Women: Symbolical of Wickedness Women: Tended Flocks and Herds Women: The Cannibalistic Mothers of Samaria Women: The Daughters of Lot, in Their Incestuous Lust Women: The Midianite Woman in the Camp of Israel, Taken in Adultery Women: The Philippian Christians Women: The Shunammite Woman, Who Gave Hospitality to Elisha Women: The Sodomites of the Southern Kingdom (Judah) Women: The Widow Who Put Her Two Mite (Small Coins, Greek: Leptas) Into the Treasury Women: The Woman Caught in the Act of Adultery and Brought to Jesus in the Temple Women: Took Part in Ancient Worship Women: Treated With Cruelty in War Women: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Women: Virtuous, Held in High Estimation Women: Wicked: Commits Forgery Women: Wicked: Full of Deceit and Licentiousness Women: Wicked: Silly and Wayward Women: Wicked: Zeal of, in Licentious Practices of Idolatry Women: Widow of Zarephath, Who Fed Elijah During the Famine Women: Worshiped in Separate Compartments Women: Zealous in Promoting Superstition and Idolatry Women: Zipporah, in Her Persecution of Moses on Account of his Religious Obligations Related Terms Women-servants (21 Occurrences) |
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